PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Markus Fittz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Fittz
vs
Russell

194 cm
21
223 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

186 cm
27
205 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Markus Fittz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Diego Russell!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fittz is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Russell shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fittz is trying to defend but Russell finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Russell passes to full mount!
Fittz tries to hold on but Russell postures up.
You get the feeling that Fittz really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Russell throwing strikes here but Fittz is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Russell lands a big shot there that rocks Fittz but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell wants to control but Fittz has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Russell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell slows the pace down in half guard.
Russell is looking to pass Fittz's guard but actually Fittz recovers to full guard.
Fittz wants to stand up but Russell is controlling him.
Russell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fittz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Fittz keeping full guard, as Russell tries to pass.
Russell trying to control but Fittz is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fittz wants to get back to his feet but Russell is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Russell looking to pass the guard.
Russell is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Diego Russell has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Russell has his takedown stuffed
and Fittz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Markus Fittz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Russell dives in and grabs Fittz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fittz pushes down on Russell's head and hops out.
Markus Fittz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Russell.

Russell shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fittz napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Russell is looking to take a break and control but Fittz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell controlling from side mount.
Russell tries to score with some ground and pound. Fittz controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Russell tries to advance to mount but Fittz denies him.
Russell is looking to take a break and control but Fittz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Russell working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Russell trying to control the action but Fittz is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Fittz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
A lull in the action here.
Fittz is trying to get back to his feet.
Russell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fittz keeps working.
Russell slows the pace down.

Russell is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Fittz has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Fittz is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Russell lands an elbow.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Fittz defending against the ground and pound.
Fittz is trying to improve his position.
Russell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fittz keeps working.
Fittz sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Fittz tries to kick Russell off but Russell keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Russell takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Russell trying to control the action but Fittz is working from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Fittz is trying to stand.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Fittz is staying active underneath Russell, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fittz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Russell is looking to advance position but Fittz won't allow it.
Russell is trying to control the action in half guard but Fittz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fittz is trying to stand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fittz is staying active underneath Russell, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Russell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Russell is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Fittz gets back to full guard.
Russell working some strikes from top position.
Russell throwing strikes from guard but Fittz blocks nicely.
Russell prevents Fittz from getting back to his feet.
Russell trying to control the position from guard on top but Fittz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russell is looking to work some ground and pound but Fittz has wrist control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Fittz pushes Russell off and gets back to his feet.
Russell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fittz sprawls well. Fittz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Russell gets slowly back to his feet.
Fittz throws a series of strikes that have Russell backpedaling.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fittz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Russell.

Russell feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Russell is stalling in the full guard.
Russell postures up in Fittz's guard and throws a big left but Fittz blocks it.
Fittz controlling Russell's posture.
Russell wants to control from the top but Fittz keeps moving.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Russell is in close to Fittz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Russell sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Russell pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fittz is keeping the position for now.
Fittz is looking to stand up but Russell isn't so interested in that idea.
Fittz is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fittz stops Russell from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Russell dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Russell shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Fittz's guard.
Fittz is looking to stand up but Russell isn't so interested in that idea.
Fittz trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Fittz keeping full guard, as Russell tries to pass.
Russell working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fittz's head.
Russell wants to control from the top but Fittz keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Fittz can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Russell controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Diego Russell hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Russell closes the distance and clinches up with Fittz, looking for a takedown. Russell pushes Fittz against the ropes but Fittz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fittz feints a jab promting Russell to slip. Fittz then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Russell slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Diego Russell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fittz's waist but Fittz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Russell off to one side.
Russell shoots in for a double leg but Fittz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Markus Fittz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Russell.
Russell is breathing heavily.
Fittz swinging wildly here.
Russell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Russell shoots in for a double leg but Fittz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fittz connects with a jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Nice combo by Fittz! Oh, that's hurt him - Russell falls to the canvas and Fittz follows him into side control.
Fittz tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Russell trying to get back to his feet but Fittz is in full control for now.
Russell is keeping busy.
Fittz really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Russell.
Fittz's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fittz trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Markus Fittz has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Fittz drops Russell with a right and a left! Fittz comes rushing in but Russell regains his composure and manages to keep Fittz in guard.

It looks like Diego Russell has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russell has a closed guard, preventing Fittz from standing up.
Russell wants to get back to his feet but Fittz is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Fittz tries to stand but Russell is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fittz is controlling him.

Russell pushes Fittz off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fittz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fittz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Russell takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Russell tries for a takedown but Fittz circles away easily
and Fittz counters with a two punch combo.
Russell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fittz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Russell somewhat.
Fittz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Fittz misses with the combination.
Left hook, right uppercut from Fittz.
Russell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt.
Fittz works over Russell's head and body with a nice combination.

Russell dives in and scores a takedown into Fittz's guard.
Fittz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Russell throwing strikes but missing.
Russell won't allow Fittz to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russell tries to free his leg and advance position but Fittz is retaining full guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Russell working some strikes from top position.
Fittz wants to stand up but Russell is controlling him.
Russell trying to control but Fittz is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Fittz wants to stand but Russell is controlling the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Russell dives in and grabs Fittz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fittz pushes down on Russell's head and hops out.
Fittz lunges at Russell with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Russell's hand.
Fittz lands with a nice combination. Russell backs away looking to recover.
Some wild striking there from Fittz.
Fittz misses with a wild combination.
Russell doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Fittz counters with a three punch combo that has Russell backing up. Russell nods at Fittz to acknowledge the strikes.
Russell fails with the takedown.
Fittz tries to clinch up but Russell circles away and keeps his distance.
Russell shoots and misses
and Fittz counters with a right hand to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fittz misses with the combination.
Fittz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Russell dives in and grabs Fittz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fittz pushes down on Russell's head and hops out.
Fittz lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fittz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Russell tries to keep at a distance but Fittz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Fittz.

Fittz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Russell dives in and grabs Fittz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fittz pushes down on Russell's head and hops out.
Fittz misses with a double jab.
A nice combination there by Fittz.
Diego Russell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fittz scores with a punch to the head.
Markus Fittz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russell has a takedown stuffed.
Fittz fails to land with a series of punches.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Fittz scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fittz fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Russell slips a jab and a cross from Fittz.
Russell shoots in looking for a takedown. Fittz tries to sprawl out of it but Russell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Fittz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Markus Fittz is winning the standup battle so far.
Fittz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fittz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt.
Fittz tries to clinch there but Russell circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fittz cracks Russell with an open hand slap.
Fittz lands a slapping body shot.
Fittz scores with a one two! Russell had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fittz pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Russell back to the ropes. Fittz follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

And that's the end of the fight!
Markus Fittz showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight for Markus Fittz!
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight for Markus Fittz!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Markus Fittz!

Markus Fittz wins by unanimous decision!
Markus Fittz thanked the fans post fight for their support.